84 Lumber embraces technology

CIO Paul Yater continues to bring advancements in tech to 84 Lumber.

More than a year ago, 84 Lumber decided to bring a chief information officer on board.

The Eighty-Four, Pa.-based pro dealer had weathered the housing crisis and was heading back to steady waters. And in today’s business climate, technology has become king. 84 Lumber decided it was high time it put more of a focus on technology while putting the right personnel in place to oversee IT expansion.

Former GNC and Dick’s Sporting Goods executive Paul Yater was hand-selected for the roll and now oversees 84 Lumber’s tech endeavors.

The 58-year-old sawmill and planer facility is no longer cost effective due to its age and outdated technology.

Boise Cascade has curtailed its lumber operation in Elgin, Ore., which includes a sawmill, planer, and shipping department.

The powerhouse and log utilization center will remain operational at the facility, however.

According to Bosie Cascade regional manager John White, the Elgin mill has been in operation since 1960 but is no longer cost effective due to its age, size, and technology.

“Even with significant new capital investments, it is not clear the lumber mill can be positioned to be cost competitive. We have announced an indefinite curtailment as we assess the future of the Elgin lumber operation,” White explained.

The company anticipates ceasing operations at the lumber mill by mid-July. A phased shutdown approach will be deployed, starting first with the sawmill, followed by the planer, concluding with the shipping department once existing inventory has been exhausted, Boise Cascade said.

“The hourly workers and management staff have been notified,” said Steve Lyon, northeast Oregon human resources manager. “We understand the effect of this announcement on our employees and their families, and we are providing information and resources to help them as best we can.”

Boise Cascade will continue to employ more than 500 people at the Elgin Plywood Mill and its facilities in nearby La Grande, Island City, and Pilot Rock.

I.e. "This isn't our first rodeo" - No Log Supply (surrounded by 100's of miles of Forest) no sawmill or investment., and sadly No Jobs for 200 People. Another Sawmill/Logging Town bites the dust. Sighhh

Building products assemble

Check out this gathering of the latest building products on the market.

Building products manufacturers continue to create the latest solutions for new construction, additions and renovations. And with a labor shortage impacting builders and remodelers, particularly on the side of single-family home construction, producers of new products are taking notice.

Below, HBSDealer has assembled an array of what’s new, improved or reinvented in the world of building products, including siding, fasteners and doors, etc.

The latest new building products include features that make it easier and quicker for pros to install. There are also more than a few examples of color and clean, sleek designs among the latest LBM wares.

The Deck-Drive DCU screw plug solution from Simpson Strong-Tie is a complete Hidden Deck-Fastening System comprised of a premium DCU Composite screw, DCU screw plugs and an Auto-Set Driver bit. The DCU screw plugs are made from major composite and PVC board manufacturers and come in a variety of 39-plus colors and grain profiles to match deck and trim boards.

AZEK Impression Rail Express

Impression Rail Express features a sleek, contemporary style, and its pre-assembled aluminum railing panel system is engineered for quick installation at the job site and lasting safety for homeowners. With no hammers or special tools required, it features easy assembly on both levels and stair applications. It achieves the sophisticated look of wrought iron with a powder-coated finish and subtle texture in three colors: white, black and dark bronze.

James Hardie Aspyre Collection

This collection pairs the thick distinctive profiles of Artisan fiber cement siding with the smooth, geometric Reveal Panel System, allowing architects and builders to create high-performing designs that range from traditional to ultra-modern. The 5/8-inch thick Artisan siding profiles cast deep shadow lines to create strong horizontal and vertical definition. The Reveal Panel System is a customizable system of commercial-grade panels, trims and fasteners that offers clean lines. Reveal panels can be installed horizontally or vertically and cut to size on site.

Derby Beach House Shakes

Derby’s Beach House Shake, created by Tando, has debuted two new colors: Hatteras, a midtone gray that emulates weathered white cedar, and Pacifica, which has the appeal of fresh western red cedar. They join the original Sandcastle color and are indistinguishable from real cedar with natural, subtle variations and grains. They are resistant to moisture, with low upkeep and a 50-year “Performance Plus” warranty.

Jeld-Wen Birkdale Interior Doors

The ornate detailing once popular with interior doors has been shifting to subtlety, such as straight lines, sharp angles and smooth surfaces. These design details can be seen in Jeld-Wen’s newest molded interior door design, the Birkdale. Featuring three equal-sized flat panels, it blends old and new home styles, such as the modern farmhouse look. Along with Jeld-Wen’s entire collection of flat panel molded doors, it features recessed panels with non-profiled sticking.

LP Legacy Sub-Flooring

LP Building Products answered the call for tougher sub-flooring with LP Legacy, which is APA-rated with the highest bending stiffness and one of the strongest sub-floor panels in the industry. Packed with more resin, wax and wood fiber — and made with Gorilla Glue Technology — it boasts superior moisture resistance that prevents edge swell, while carrying an LP “Covered Until It’s Covered” no-sand warranty.

Quikrete Lightweight FRS

A Portland cement-based plaster blended with recycled, coated Expanded Polystyrene beads, uniformly graded sand and alkali-resistant glass fibers, Quikrete Lightweight Fiberglass Reinforced Stucco is 35% lighter than traditional pre-blended stuccos, making it faster to transport, stage, mix, pump, place and finish. In 50-pound bags and 1,950-pound bulk bags, it can be troweled or spray-applied on three-coat scratch, brown and finish systems as well as one-coat systems.

Ply Gem Solar Defense Siding

Ply Gem Solar Defense Reflective Technology is available on select vinyl siding lines from Mastic by Ply Gem. Solar Defense provides protection from UV rays, while increasing curb appeal. This vinyl protection technology is an advancement to the existing patent-pending formulation that shields the darkest vinyl siding colors from the sun with advanced light-reflecting properties and a strong heat-resistant base layer.

Masonite Decorative Glass Designs

Masonite has introduced the Double-Water, Cruz and Focus glass designs for exterior and interior doors. Cruz glass complements the urban trend using smooth, sleek glass and clean lines to blend in with concrete, metal and industrial components. Double-Water glass has a water-like texture, mirroring the calm ocean while Focus is perfect for those looking for a modern, updated look on a traditional home that’s on trend with modern farmhouse design.

Quickscrews

Quickscrews International Corp. has launched a new retail line of screws and fasteners for lumberyards, hardware stores and big boxes. They are for applications across the building and remodeling spectrum, including new construction and installations, renovations and decking and fencing. They feature an Icon System and Color-Coded Application System, created to make it easier than ever for customers.

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